1. Program. Thursday - 19 February. Friday - 20 February. Saturday - 21 February

Transcription

1 4th Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering MCO February 2015 Israel BULLETIN 1

2 1. Program 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Thursday - 19 February Arrival Registration Morning: Model for Middle and Long Shimshit Afternoon: Sprint Distance Sarid Opening Ceremony Friday - 20 February Long Distance Zippori (Day 1 of Israel Open) COMOF Meeting Saturday - 21 February Middle Distance Timrat (Day 2 of Israel Open) MCO and Open Awards and Closing Ceremony Departure

3 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) MCO Rules and Classes Participation Competition will be held according to the IOF Rules as well as the MCO Rules from July The Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering 2015 will consist of Sprint, Long and Middle Distance races in a three-day program. Classes Each country at MCO will be represented by a team composed of four women and four men. SENIOR (M/W 21 E) : 2 women and 2 men JUNIOR (M/W 20) : 2 women and 2 men Entry Fees The start fees for the official COMOF National Teams participating in MCO will be covered by the organizers (according to the Rules).

4 3. Locations 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) The championships will take place in the Jezreel Valley and Lower Galilee in northern Israel. The event center will be in Kibbutz Sarid, which will also host the Sprint Distance race. The venues for the Middle and Long Distance races, as well as the model map, will be within a 15-minute driving distance of the event center. From To Distance Tel Aviv / Airport Event Center Sarid 113 km Jerusalem Event Center Sarid 155 km Haifa Event Center Sarid 35 km Nazareth Event Center Sarid 12 km

5 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Model Map - Shimshit Sprint / Event Center - Sarid Long Distance Zippori Middle Distance - Timrat

6 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Open Event The MCO will be held in conjunction with the 2015 Israel Open Championships. The courses for the Junior and Elite classes will be the same for both the MCO and the Open event. Thus, competitors running MCO for their National Teams will also be competing for overall standing in the Open event. The overall standing in the Israel Open will be determined by the sum of the results in the Long and Middle Distance races. The Sprint Distance will not be a part of the Open event. However, the organizers will allow athletes to run the Sprint Distance after the MCO competitors have completed the race. 5. Prizes MCO Events Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each class, and diplomas to the top 5. The awards ceremony will be held after each competition, or at the end of the MCO. Open Event Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in all classes. The awards ceremony for the Open event will be held at the end of the second day of competition.. 6. Registration The deadline for MCO and the Open Event entries is February 7, More information about registration will be available in the event webpage starting August Punching System All MCO events will be organized using the EMIT electronic punching system. Competitors who have EMIT cards can bring and use their own cards. EMIT cards can also be rented from the organizers.

7 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Maps and Terrain Model Event Map: Shimshit (2013) Scale: 1:10000, 5m contours. Map maker: Dan Chissick Description: A long, mostly steep ridge, covered in a mix of natural oak woods and planted pine/fir forests in various stages of growth, with a moderate path network. Scattered rock features and some man-made ruins. Sprint Distance Map: Kibbutz Sarid (new map for MCO) Scale 1:4000, 2.5m contours. Map maker: Uzi Schweitzer Description: A typical Israeli communal settlement (kibbutz), including residential, agricultural and industrial buildings. Typical kibbutz map sample (not Sarid) Long Distance Map: Zippori (2013) Scale: 1:15000, 5m contours. Map maker: Petr Matula, Zdenek Lenhart, Evzen Cigos Description: Mixed natural oaks and planted pine/fir forests with a dense path network, on a moderately hilly area. Some semi-open areas. Some areas with numerous rock features and some mainmade ruins. Middle Distance Map: Timrat (new map for MCO) Scale: 1:10000, 5m contours. Description: Semi open areas, with some undergrowth and bushes. Moderate density of contour details and some areas with numerous rock features. (Previously mapped in 2003, Uzi Schweitzer)

8 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Accommodations The following is a preliminary list of accomodations within a reasonable distance of the event center and competition venues. More information about accommodations will be published soon. B & B Guesthouse at Kibbutz Ginegar, 4 km to event center Pina Ba emek Country Lodging at Kibbutz Mizra, 8 km to event center Nof Tavor Hotel, located at Kibbutz Mizra, 8 km to event center Israel Field Schools, hostel accomodations - Alon Tavor adjacent to training areas, km to venues Israel Youth Hostel Association - Ma ayan Harod Guest House (Gidona), km to venues - Akko Guest House (Acre), km to venues - Haifa Guest House, km to venues Fauzi Azar Inn, Vitrage Guesthouse and Samira Guest House in Nazareth Hostel accomodations and private rooms, km to venues

9 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Transportation Israel s main airport is Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv. The distance between the airport and the event center at Sarid is approximately 110 km (about 1:30 hour driving time). Direct transportation options between the airport and the event center are rental car, regular taxi, or taxi van, depending on the number of passengers. Israel Railways has excellent and low-cost service between the airport, Tel Aviv and Haifa, which can be combined with other public transportation options (bus or taxi) to reach final destinations. 11. Health Services The organizer will provide first-aid at the event center and at each competition site. Emergency care and major hospitals are within a 20-minute drive from each of the competition sites. The organizer will not bear responsibility related to medical costs for participants. Each federation and/or each competitor, is responsible for the insurance of the participant. 12. Safety and Security Israel is a modern, western society, whose infrastructure and social services are among the most advanced in the western world. Israel is a young and dynamic nation in which everyday life is as normal as in any other European country. Israel is one of the safest countries for tourists. The state authorities and security forces are at work constantly to ensure Israel is safe for visitors and citizens alike. Public buildings, shopping malls and crowded events are protected by private guards and local police. Crime against tourists is extremely rare. Israel has excellent health and medical services. In general, tap water is fine for drinking, and no special vaccinations are required prior to entering the country.

10 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Training Opportunities There are many training maps in close proximity to the competition arenas. Israel is a small country, and nearly all O-maps in Israel are within a driving distance of no more than two hours. Training Maps Map Scale Year Relevance Distance (from Event Center) 1 Kibbutz Mizra 1: Sprint 9 2 Kibbutz HaZore'a 1:5, Sprint 22 3 Kibbutz Beit HaShita 1:5, Sprint 30 4 Kibbutz Ma'oz Haim 1:5, Sprint 43 5 Kfar HaHoresh 1:10, Long/Middle 13 6 Alonim 1:10, Long/Middle 14 7 Alon HaGalil 1:10,000, 1:15, Long/Middle 18 8 Kiryat Ata Forest 1:15, Long/Middle 40 9 Beit Keshet North 1:10, Long/Middle Ilaniya 1:7, Long/Middle Tel Govel 1:10, Long/Middle Akbara 1:10, Long/Middle Amuka 1:10, Long/Middle 80

11 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Touring Opportunities The Jezreel Valley of Israel Ancient and modern history, the Bible, and geography in the Jezreel Valley are more closely entwined and visible than anywhere else in Israel. The Jezreel Valley extends across the breadth of the country, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River, between Mount Carmel, Mount Gilboa and the Hills of Lower Galilee. The passes through these mountains were important trade routes for thousands of years, linking Europe, Africa and Asia. Ancient caravans carried merchandise and the innovations of far-off cultures, while armies battled for strategic control of the region. The ruins of Tel Megiddo (Armageddon), Tel Jezreel, Beit Shean, Beit She arim, and other sites, bear witness to the civilizations and events of antiquity. Jezreel means God will sow a hint at the valley s fertility, although by modern times neglect had turned most of the region into swamps. But beginning in the early 1900s, pioneers drained the swamps, and made the valley bloom again. Today the Jezreel Valley, with its many natural springs, is the agricultural heartland of Israel. Among the Jezreel Valley s many attractions are historical, cultural, and natural treasures: Religious and heritage sites in Nazareth, especially the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Church of St. Gabriel, and Mary s Well. Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) National Park The mosaics at Zippori and Beit Alfa National Parks The Circassian village and museum in Kfar Kama The pioneering and historical museums at Kfar Tabor and Kibbutz Ein Dor Hiking portions of the Israel Trail and the Jesus Trail The spring-fed warm water pools at Gan Hashlosha (Sachne) National Park Nazareth

12 15. Visas 2015 Mediterranean Championships in Orienteering Israel Bulletin 1 (Nov.2013) Visitors are welcome to Israel. Many countries have a Visa Waiver Program with Israel which allows their citizens to visit Israel without a visa arranged in advance. Use the following link to find out whether you need to pre-arrange a tourist visa through the Israeli Embassy. Look up your nation and check in the Visit Visa Tourist to Israel column to see if a Visa is required Contacts Israel Sport Orienteering Association (ISOA) Kibbutz Ein Hahoresh, 38980, Israel Telephone: nivut@netvision.net.il